Independence Days Challenge!!!

Independence Days Challenge!!!
I haven't done one of these for a while and decided it's good to re-visit! So here's the most recent I can think of...

1. Plant Something-

Wrong time of year for us, not quite spring. Starting to look for some seeds for summer! I read about Melrose Peppers used in Italian cooking, sounds like time to try those-

From Rareseeds.com

 2. Harvest Something-

Just eggs, but at least they're laying pretty well thru the winter. The hens are happy now that the snow is all gone, and the garden has dried out.

3. Preserve/Store Something-

Nothing right now. I need to make some fermented cabbage soon.

4. Manage Reserves- Get a Good Deal/Barter/Stock Up/Prep-

I bought a beef roast,1/2 off last week. I went back the next day and bought two more. They're in the freezer waiting for another roasting. Bought some used items on eBay. I had maxed out my out-of-pocket on my medical this year, so I got a generic Epi-type pen since it was free. :) Saved my $100's of dollars on the co-pay by getting before my deductible rolled over. Dave got a $25.00 big box gift card from our neighbor, for shoveling ALL of her snow. She'd had shoulder surgery. Getting some free home items today, furnace filter, etc.

5. Eat the Food- Try New Foods/Recipe-

I made this last week, Chicago-Style Italian Chicago beef sandwiches- 

The roast lasted for several more sandwich dinners. I used the last of the roast last night with roasted potatoes and carrots. Yummy. At Cost Plus World Market I bought some SlapYaMama Etouffee Sauce for a belated Mardis Gras. I used it with shrimp for tonight's dinner, the sauce was spicy with a nice smoky flavor-

Served with french bread

I also bought Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix as well as Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory-

I'm not a fan of coffeee but bought it on a whim. It's decaf, Dave likes it and it's not nearly as bitter as regular coffee! I may start drinking it too. I'll try frying up some homemade beignets (square donuts basically) and them try for a snack. It's a nice mix with very simple ingredients. I've REALLY enjoyed the series A Chef's Life on PBS with Chef Vivian Howard and want to try some of her recipes Achefslifeseries.com, Recipes I want to try her Sausage Stewed Cabbage next. I love her think-outside-the-box mentality and humility. What a great woman!!!

6. Build Community Food Systems-

Doing 1/2 day babysitting for our one grandchild on Saturdays, so we may have Mom and Dad help us put it our garden this summer. Or share some harvest :)

7. Recycle/Re-Use-

Bought used items on eBay, and I'm still cleaning out closets. Buying more thrifted clothing for the grand babies, they grow so fast! I'm watching a few more things on eBay.

8. Skill Up-

More baby re-orienting, things have changed. Who knew the womb was so loud! Babies can sleep thru loud activities now, like vacuuming.

9. Regenerate What is Lost/Salvage Something-

I can see, after the massive snow this winter, a lot of pruning to do soon. Hopefully our garden didn't suffer to much! I think we may have lost some drubs due to the extreme cold, but time will tell. I have some nice, large Ikea bath towels that are holding up well after 2 years. The hems are coming off a bit, so I will use my sewing machine to fix those. Easy! I'm hoping a huge amount of our local small birds didn't die during the long, heavy snowstorms so I am putting out food now on a regular basis. Nice to see some of them back!